Reductions In Blood Triglycerides Research Articles

Different Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation vs. Blood Lipid Profiles—A Study on a Rat Model

Dyslipidemia is a serious condition affecting an increasing number of people, and thus, preventive measures, including supplementation, are being developed. We aimed to compare the effect of linseed oil, its ethyl esters and fish oil supplementation on the serum lipid profiles of rats fed a high-fat diet. Wistar rats were divided into nine groups. Four of them were fed a high-fat diet for the whole experiment, four groups were fed a high-fat diet before the supplementation period and then the control one with supplements, and one was fed a control diet without supplements. The whole experiment lasted 12 weeks. A significant reduction in blood triglycerides, total cholesterol and the LDL fraction was noted in supplemented groups compared to the controls, especially in groups supplemented with ethyl esters of linseed oil and linseed oil compared to fish oil groups. The results were also more beneficial in groups where, in addition to supplementation, there was also a diet change from a high-fat diet to a control diet during the supplementation period. We may conclude that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, combined with a healthy diet, may be a good way of preventing or alleviating dyslipidemia.

Effects of weight loss and feeding specially formulated diets on the body composition, blood metabolite profiles, voluntary physical activity, and fecal metabolites and microbiota of overweight cats.

Feline obesity is a common and preventable disease, posing a myriad of health risks and detriments. Specially formulated diets and restricted feeding may serve as an intervention strategy to promote weight loss and improve feline health. In this study, our objective was to determine the effects of restricted feeding and weight loss on body composition, voluntary physical activity, blood hormones and metabolites, and fecal microbiota of overweight cats. Twenty-two overweight adult spayed female and neutered male cats [body weight (BW) = 5.70 ± 1.0 kg; body condition score (BCS) = 7.68 ± 0.6; age = 4 ± 0.4 yr] were used in a weight loss study. A control diet (OR) was fed during a 4-wk baseline to identify intake needed to maintain BW. After baseline (week 0), cats were allotted to OR or a test diet (FT) and fed to lose ~1.0% BW/wk for 24 wk. At baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 wk after weight loss, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans were performed and blood samples were collected. Voluntary physical activity was measured at weeks 0, 8, 16, and 24. Fecal samples were collected at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24. Change from baseline data were analyzed statistically using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS, with P < 0.05 considered significant. Restricted feeding of both diets led to weight and fat mass loss, lower BCS, and lower blood triglyceride and leptin concentrations. Cats fed the FT diet had a greater reduction in blood triglycerides and cholesterol than cats fed the OR diet. Restricted feeding and weight loss reduced fecal short-chain fatty acid, branched-chain fatty acid, phenol, and indole concentrations. Fecal valerate concentrations were affected by diet, with cats fed the OR diet having a greater reduction than those fed the FT diet. Fecal bacterial alpha diversity was not affected, but fecal bacterial beta diversity analysis showed clustering by diet. Restricted feeding and weight loss affected relative abundances of 7 fecal bacterial genera, while dietary intervention affected change from baseline relative abundances of 2 fecal bacterial phyla and 20 fecal bacterial genera. Our data demonstrate that restricted feeding promoted controlled and safe weight and fat loss, reduced blood lipids and leptin concentrations, and shifted fecal metabolites and microbiota. Some changes were also impacted by diet, highlighting the importance of ingredient and nutrient composition in weight loss diets.

The glucocorticoid receptor represses, whereas C/EBPβ can enhance or repress CYP26A1 transcription

SummaryRetinoic acid (RA) counters insulin’s metabolic actions. Insulin reduces liver RA biosynthesis by exporting FoxO1 from nuclei. RA induces its catabolism, catalyzed by CYP26A1. A CYP26A1 contribution to RA homeostasis with changes in energy status had not been investigated. We found that glucagon, cortisol, and dexamethasone decrease RA-induced CYP26A1 transcription, thereby reducing RA oxidation during fasting. Interaction between the glucocorticoid receptor and the RAR/RXR coactivation complex suppresses CYP26A1 expression, increasing RA’s elimination half-life. Interaction between CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) and the major allele of SNP rs2068888 enhances CYP26A1 expression; the minor allele restricts the C/EBPβ effect on CYP26A1. The major and minor alleles associate with impaired human health or reduction in blood triglycerides, respectively. Thus, regulating CYP26A1 transcription contributes to adapting RA to coordinate energy availability with metabolism. These results enhance insight into CYP26A1 effects on RA during changes in energy status and glucocorticoid receptor modification of RAR-regulated gene expression.

Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with wolfberry consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Wolfberry is rich in bioactive compounds which may lower cardiovascular disease risk. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of wolfberry-based randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on overall cardiovascular health. Four online databases (PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Medline and Cochrane Library) were searched to shortlist relevant RCTs. Outcomes of interests included blood lipids and lipoproteins, blood pressure, biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation and other cardiovascular health-related indicators. Random-effects models were used to provide a weighted mean difference (WMD) and/or Hedges' g for quantitative synthesis. This was coupled with subcategory analyses which stratified RCTs according to the form in which wolfberry was administered (whole wolfberry versus wolfberry extract). From the 785 articles identified, 10 were selected for meta-analysis. Compared to the control, groups which consumed wolfberry showed a reduction in blood triglycerides [WMDpooled (95% confidence interval): - 0.14 (- 0.19, - 0.09) mmol/L] and increased blood high-density lipoproteincholesterol [WMDpooled: 0.06 (0.02, 0.09) mmol/L]. Notably, effects for both triglycerides [WMDwhole: - 0.14 (- 0.19, - 0.09) mmol/L; WMDextract: - 0.07 (- 0.30, 0.16) mmol/L] and high-density lipoproteincholesterol [WMDwhole: 0.06 (0.02, 0.09) mmol/L; WMDextract: 0.05 (- 0.02, 0.13) mmol/L] were more prominent after whole wolfberry interventions. Additionally, blood malondialdehydeequivalents were also significantly decreased in wolfberry consuming groups [Hedges' gpooled: - 1.45 (- 2.75, - 0.16)]. No changes were observed for the other lipids andlipoproteins as well as blood pressure. Wolfberry consumption is effective in improving blood lipids andlipoproteins profile and lowering oxidative stress. This supports the incorporation of wolfberry, particularly as whole fruits, into dietary patterns targeted at improving cardiovascular health.

The effects of cinnamon supplementation on blood lipid concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cinnamon is a rich botanical source of polyphenols, whose positive effects on blood lipid concentrations have been hypothesized, but have not been conclusively studied. The objective of the study was to systematically review and evaluate the effect of administration of cinnamon on blood lipid concentrations. We assessed 13 randomized controlled trials with 750 participants investigating the effect of cinnamon supplementation on blood lipid concentrations. A meta-analysis was performed using random effect models, with weighted mean differences (WMDs; with 95% confidence interval [CI]) for endpoints calculated using a random effects model. No statistically significant effect of cinnamon was observed on blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; WMD: -0.16mmol/L [-6.19mg/dL], 95% CI: -0.35, 0.03 [-13.53, 1.16], P=.10) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; WMD: 0.05mmol/L [1.92mg/dL], 95% CI: -0.03, 0.12 [-0.03, 4.64], P=.21) concentrations. However, a statistically significant reduction in blood triglycerides (WMD: -0.27mmol/L [-23.91mg/dL], 95% CI: -0.39, -0.14 [-34.54, -12.40], P<.01) and total cholesterol concentrations (WMD: -0.36mmol/L [-13.92mg/dL], 95% CI: -0.63, -0.09 [-24.36, -3.48], P<.01) was observed. HDL-C was significantly elevated after the omission of 1 study (WMD: 0.04mmol/L [1.54mg/dL], 95% CI: 0.03, 0.06 [1.16, 2.32], P<.01) during our sensitivity analysis. A meta-regression analysis was conducted, and no significant association was found between changes in lipid parameters and cinnamon dose. In contrast, changes in blood levels of total cholesterol (slope: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.16; P<.01), LDL-C (slope: 0.05; 95% CI: 0.001, 0.10; P=.05) and triglycerides (slope: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.09; P<.01) were significantly and positively associated with the duration of supplementation. No statistically significant association was found between blood HDL-C changes and duration of supplementation. Cinnamon supplementation significantly reduced blood triglycerides and total cholesterol concentrations without any significant effect on LDL-C and HDL-C.

Cardiometabolic Profiles and Gene Expression Following Fish Oil Supplementation: Is There a Role for FADS Genotypes?

Consumption of omega‐3 fatty acids (FAs) modifies cardiometabolic risk factors in hyperlipidemic and diabetic individuals; however, their effects in young healthy adults are unclear. We examined the impact of fish oil supplements on blood cardiometabolic markers, FA composition, eicosanoid profiles and gene expression. We then examined whether these endpoints varied with an individual's fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genotype. Young male adults (18 – 25 yrs) consumed daily fish oil supplements (up to 3g omega‐3 FAs) for 12 weeks. Significant reductions in blood triglycerides were seen by week 12. Paradoxically, two omega‐6 derived eicosanoids (PGF2α and TXB2) were increased with supplementation. Whole blood gene expression revealed no differences in key genes regulating eicosanoid production, i.e., ALOX5, ALOX12, ALOX15, COX‐2 and iPLA2. FA analysis showed increases in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content in serum and red blood cells (RBCs), and decreases in arachidonic acid (AA). Compared to major allele carriers, individuals with FADS minor allele variants experienced greater increases in EPA levels in serum and RBCs during supplementation. There were no genotype differences for DHA or AA levels. Collectively, our results showed that fish oil supplements alter the eicosanoid profile independent of changes in gene expression. Additionally, we demonstrated that changes in FA levels after supplementation are influenced by an individual's FADS genotype. Further investigations regarding the relationship between fish oil supplements, eicosanoid profiles, and FADS genotype are warranted.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NSERC

Positive effects of football on fitness, lipid profile, and insulin resistance in Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes.

We evaluated the effects of recreational football training combined with calorie-restricted diet (football + diet) vs calorie-restricted diet alone (diet) on aerobic fitness, lipid profile, and insulin resistance indicators in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Forty-four T2D patients aged 48-68 years (27 females, 17 males) were randomly allocated to the football + diet group (FDG; n = 22) or to the diet group (DG; n = 22), of whom 19 FDG and 15 DG subjects completed the study. The football training was performed for 3 × 40 min/week for 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning, treadmill testing, and fasting blood samplings were performed pre and post-intervention. After 12 weeks, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max ) was elevated (P < 0.05) by 10 ± 4% in FDG but not in DG (-3 ± 4%, P < 0.05). After 12 weeks, reductions in blood triglycerides (0.4 ± 0.1 mmol/L), total cholesterol (0.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L), low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein levels were observed only in FDG. Fat mass decreased (P < 0.05) by 3.4 ± 0.4 kg in FDG and 3.7 ± 0.4 kg in DG. The lower (P < 0.05) glucagon and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance indicated an improvement in insulin sensitivity in FDG. In conclusion, football combined with restricted diet was effective in enhancing VO₂max , reducing total cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing insulin sensitivity, potentially providing better tools for the prevention of T2D complications than diet alone.

Future Challenges for Microsomal Transport Protein Inhibitors

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Statins are established as first choice drugs for the management of hyperlipidaemia and cardiovascular risk. However, a residual cardiovascular risk, partially attributable to lipids, remains even after statin treatment. This risk appears to be associated with both high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride lipid fractions. Several novel therapeutic approaches have been proposed to reduce lipid levels. Microsomal transfer protein (MTP) is involved in the assembly of very-low-density lipoprotein and chylomicron lipoprotein particles in the liver and the gut, respectively. In the preclinical setting, various agents that affect activity of MTP have shown that inhibition can result in profound reductions in blood triglycerides and cholesterol. Similarly, evidence of efficacy using the target has been confirmed in man with small molecule inhibitors and antisense oligonucleotides. Unfortunately, despite their efficacy in reducing lipids, the clinical utility of small molecule inhibitors has been restricted by their potential to induce hepatic steatosis. Continuing attempts to utilise this clinical target (to decrease cholesterol, triglycerides and weight) have involved the use of lower doses or non systemically absorbed MTP inhibitors.